Influence of Spinal Alignment in the Power Position on Whole-body Reaction Time

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify the relationship between the spinal alignment in the power position and whole-body reaction time (RT). [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen healthy male students belonging to a university athletic club were studied. Their RTs were measured during the task of detaching the feet from a mat as quickly as possible after the lighting of a lamp. The spinal alignment and trunk tilt angle were measured under 2 conditions: adopting an upright standing position and the power position, to calculate the thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, trunk tilt, and anterior pelvic tilt angles. [Results] The RT showed a significant positive correlation with the lumbar lordosis angle in the power position. There were no significant correlations among the other items. [Conclusion] The results revealed that the RT decreases with an increase in the lumbar lordosis angle in the power position.